Equipment for use with magnetic tape records



Aug. 2, 1955 F. J. REED EQUIPMENT FOR USE WITH MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 24, 1949 lli;

Aug. 2, 1955 F. J. REED 2,714,512

EQUIPMENT FOR USE WITH MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDS Original Filed June 24, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEN-roR TTOFENEYS` Aug 2, 1955 F. J. REED EQUIPMENT FOR USE WITH MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 24, 1949 Aug. 2, 1955 F. J. REED EQUIPMENT FOR USE WITH MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDS Original Filed June 24, 1949 CN EYS ATT United States Patent Oli 2,714,512 Patented Aug. 2, 1955 ice EQUIPMENT FOR USE WITH MAGNETIC TAPE RECRDS Continuation of application Serial No.

1949. This application May 26, 432,405

101,052, June 24, 1954, serial No.

Claims. (Cl. 274-4) This invention relates to equipment for use with magnetic tape record, and is particularly concerned with mechanism for handling elongated tape records either for recording or for reproduction thereof, for instance, records of the type adapted to be stored on reels.

Although the invention is adaptable to tapes carrying recorded intelligence of a variety of types, the invention is particularly useful iu the handling of tape records carrying recorded music. A typical record of this type may carry the recording of a complete symphony requiring as much as an hour for playback.

It is also here noted that while many features of the invention are useful with tape recordings of a variety of types, certain features of the invention are particularly concerned with that type of tape recording carrying a plurality, for instance two, tracks of recorded music or the like, one track being oriented for reproduction upon scanning of the tape in one direction, and another track being oriented for reproduction upon scanning of the tape in the opposite direction. A machine of this general type is disclosed in copending application of Bruce Roberts, Serial No. 715,518, tiled December 11, 1946, issued January 13, 1953, as Patent No. 2,625,611, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The present invention has, as a general object, the provision of improvements in the structure and operation of machines of the type referred to, especially the simplilication of threading of the tape into a machine of the character described and the arrangement of tape drive and tape handling parts and the provision of controls therefor rendering the operation of the machine as foolproof as possible and as free as possible from danger of damage to the tape records being used. A number of the individual objects, advantages, and features of the invention are pointed out just below more specifically.

One of the principal individual objects of the invention is to simplify the operation of equipment for handling elongated magnetic records, especially records in tape form, for instance in the form of a paper tape carrying a coating having magnetizable particles dispersed therein. According to the invention the matter of threading a tape record in the equipment is greatly simplified as compared with prior arrangements, the machine of the present invention being alternatively conditionable for threading and for normal operation. When conditioned for threading, a substantially straight line threading path is provided into which the tape may be inserted with great ease; and when the machine is adjusted for operation, various guiding devices and the like automatically come into engagement with the tape to establish the desired feed path for operation.

A further feature of the mechanism of the invention is the arrangement of the tape driving and other elements which engage the tape so that, upon unintentional stoppage of the tape, for instance, at the supply reel, various of the elements which engage the tape such as the tape drive means will automatically be disengaged from the tape in consequence of tensioning thereof. This is a safety factor of considerable importance,` since it avoids unintentional breakage of tape which might otherwise occur upon abnormal or extensive tensioning thereof, as would occur upon stoppage of the tape under certain circumstances.

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic means for reversing the direction of scanning of a tape record.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention provision is made for braking rotation of the tape reels when the machine is conditioned for tape threading. It is contemplated that this braking means shall be effective through portions of the reel drive mechanism incorporating slip clutches, so that the application of the braking force is imposed upon the tape only through such slip clutches. This is another feature of the invention of 1mportance in avoiding tape breakage.

A further specic object of the invention is to provide for high speed or shuttle winding of the tape in either direction between the reels.

Still further the invention provides automatic shutolf means operative upon completion of a cycle of reproduction.

How the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained will appear more fully from the following description referring to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine constructed according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the section line 2-2 on Figure l;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the section line 3-3 on Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view of certain portions of the mechanism shown in Figure 1, also illustrated in plan, but with certain parts omitted;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 4 but illustrating a different position of adjustment of certain guide and other devices;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the section line 6*(5 on Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a View of certain parts shown in the same general manner as in Figure 6, but with certain control devices adjusted to a diferent position;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of certain details, taken as indicated by the section line 8-.8 on Figure 6, but on an enlarged scale;

Figure 9 is a View taken line 9 9 on Figure 8;

Figure l0 is a fragmentary View of a modified form of guide element for the tape record;

Figure 1l is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 4 but illustrating a modification;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 3, also illustrating the modification appearing in Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a detail of the mechanism shown in Figures 11 and 12.

As shown in the drawings the equipment. is mounted upon a frame or base plate 12 carried by standards 13. When viewed in plan, as in Figure 1, the general arrangement of some of the major components will be seen. Thus, the machine incorporates a turntable 14 adapted to be employed to support and drive disc type mechanical recordings. A pair of tape reels 15 and 16 are mounted on vertical axes, partially underneath the turntable 14. A magnetic tape record T is adapted to be fed between the reels, the feed path being dened by guide elements 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21.

As with the machine disclosed in the copending applias indicated by the section As above brought out, the right-hand position of the lever effects drive of the tape reel 16, and the left-hand position of the lever effects drive of the tape reel 15. The intermediate position, dened by notch 47 represents a neutral setting in which neither of the tape reels is driven.

For purposes which will appear more fully herebelow, the lever 36 is biased toward the left-hand position by means of a spring 48. Movement of the lever from the cuits, etc., of the recording and reproducing elements,

they are not herein disclosed, although reference may be made -to the copending application above referred to for further information with regard to such a hook-up. On the` other hand, the features of the invention are related to the physical arrangement of parts and devices of the equipment, especially those parts of the apparatus which are arranged to handle the magnetic tape record.

' Each of the tape reels 15 and 16 is provided with a I mounting spindle, one being indicated at 22 and the other at 23. These spindles extend downwardly through the base plate 12 through oversized and elongated apertures 24 and 25 and are journaled in bearings supported by a horizontally shiftable mounting plate 26. The apertures 24 and 2'5 serve to guide the plate 26 Afor lateral shifting, i. e., to the left or right lwhen viewed as in Figures I1, 2 or 6. An eccentrically adjustable device 27 also acts as a guide element `for the plate, in the manner described herebelow.

The tape reels 4and 16 are adapted to be driven by means of friction discs 28 and 29 which are mounted on the reel spindles 22 and 23, the discs being connected t with the shafts through friction clutches described hereinafter. These friction discs are adapted alternatively to be brought into engagement with a ydriving disc 30 which is xed on the shaft 31 of the turntable 14. The turntable is provided with a driving motor diagrammatically indicated at 32, the motor shaft 33 engaging a driving puck 34 which latter also engages the turntable at the marginal flange thereof. The drive to the reels 15 and 16, therefore, is vtransmitted through the turntable 14 to the disc 30 and from there alternatively to disc 28 or disc 29,"according to the position of the shiftable plate 26.` The :plate 26 is biased toward `the right when -viewed as in Figures 1 and 6 by means of a spring 35. Movement of the plate to the left is effected by a control lever 36 (see particularly Figures 3, 6 and 7), which lever is i connected with control shaft 37 having a collar 38 fixed thereon which collar carries a pin 39 engaging an aperture in a lever 40 toward one side of the vertical mounting pivot -41. A spring 42 interconnects the other end of lever-40 with the shifting plate 26, thespring being connected with the plate through a bracket 43. Movement of the lever toward the 4left when viewed as in Figure 3 causes lever 40 to pivot in a direction Ito tension spring 42, and t-h'e lrelative values of `springs 35 and 42 are so chosen thatin this position the spring 42 overcomes lthe action .of spring and as a result the shifting plate 26 is moved to the left, thereby bringing friction disc 29 of reel L16 into engagement vwith 'the driving disc 30 on the turntable spindle. `When the lever 36 is moved to the j left-hand position either to the neutral position or to the right-hand position requires manual setting. A trip mechanism is also provided for disengaging the lever from the notch 46 in the right-hand position. This trip mechaI l nism comprises a solinoid 49 having an armature 50 which tape `path between is adapted to deliver a blow to one arm 51 of a doublearmed lever pivoted on shaft 52, the other arm 53 of this lever being arranged to transmit the blow to the control arm 36, to thereby disengage it from notch 46, whereupon spring 48 will draw the lever to the left end of the slot 44 and cause the tape reel 15 to be driven instead of the tape reel 16. Control means for the solenoid 49 are referred to hereinafter.

Reference is now made to the elements defining the the reels 15 and 16. As above mentioned the tape is rst led from reel 15 around a guide post 17, which may either be rotative or fixed, preferably the latter. A similar post 21 constitutes the last element over which the tape passes before being wound upon the 5 reel 16. In the portion of the path between the posts 17 left, as shown in Figure 7, the lever is pivoted so as to relieve the tension on spring 42 and Vthereby permit spring 35 to draw the shift plate 26 to the right and thereby disengage friction Vdisc 29 and bring friction disc 28 of'reel -15 into engagement with the driving disc 30.

The -control lever 36 extends upwardly from the control shaft 37 through an elongated slot formed in the base plate '12 and `also through slot 44 in an upper cover plate V referred to more fully herebelow. Slot 44, as seen in Figure 1, is provided with a notch 46 adapted to fretain the lever 36 in the right-hand position. This slot kis further provided with an intermediate notch 47 vformaintaining the lever 36 in an intermediate position.

The lever constitutes a spring member normallytending to engage .itself in oneor the other of notches 46 and 47.

and 21, the tape path is sinuous, being established by elements 18, 19 and 20. Element 19 is in the nature of a tape driving capstan mounted on a shaft 54 and driven in the manner described below. Elements 18 and 2i) may constitute rollers or fixed guide elements, preferably the latter, one of which is mounted on abellcrank 55 and the other on a bellcrank 56, the two bellcranks being pivoted at 57 and 58 respectively for movement between the position best shown in Figure 4 and the position illustrated in Figure 5. In the position of Figure 4 the guide elements 18 and 2t) cause the tape T to engage the driving capstan 19 over a substantial portion of the circumference of the capstan. In the position shown in Figure 5 the elements 18 and 2t) are withdrawn completely out of engagement with the tape, so that the tape may lat this time extend in a substantially straight run from the guide post 17 all the way across the machine to the guide post 21. This is a feature of importance, since it provides for threading of a tape into the machine in a substantially straight line path throughout that portion of the overall path from reel to reel which normally is sinuous, and in which various other devices are adapted to engage the tape. Threading of the machine is thereby greatly facilitated.

Y Oscillation of the bellcranks 55 and 56 is effected by means of a vdouble-armed lever 59 one end of which is linked as at 60 with bellcrank 5S and the other end of which is linked as at 61 to the bellcrank 56. Oscillation of lever 5,9 about its mounting shaft .62 thus providesfor `swinging of the lbellcranks 55 and 56 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure .5 or vice versa. Shaft :62 of the lever 59 is provided with a control knob `6 3 by which the shaft may be .manually oscillated to alternatively condition the machine rfor threading or for operation.

When the machine is in operation the capstan 19 (which is preferably surfaced with a material having a ,relatively high coeicient of friction so as to prevent slippage of the tape thereon) is driven through a friction disc 64 which is xed on the capstan shaft 54 (see particularly Figures 6 and 7). The drive for the capstan disc 64 includes an intermediate friction roller 65 which is journaled at the free end of an oscillatable lever 66. When the shift plate 26 is in its left-hand position when viewed as in Figure '6, the intermediate friction drive element 65 is adapted to interconnectthe disc 29 with the capstan disc 64. When the shift 'plate 26 71Vis'moved to the-right, `the intermediate friction element 65 is adapted to drivingly couple the capstan disc 64 directly with the driving disc 30 on the turntable shaft. Yielding friction pads are preferably provided on various of the friction discs and it is here pointed out that the senses of rotation of the several drive elements which serve to couple the capstan disc 64 with the driving disc 30 are such that the drive action is selfenergized, i. e., the driving force tends to tighten the inter mediate friction element 65 into engagement with the capstan disc 64 and the disc 29 or the disc 30, depending upon the direction of drive of the capstan. This shiftablel self-energizing drive is not a part of the present invention per se, being described and claimed in copending application of Bruce Roberts entitled Drive Mechanism for Magnetic Tape Record Machine; Serial No. 744,272, tiled April 26, 1947, and issued February 9, 1954, as Patent No. 2,668,674.

For reversal of the capstan drive, a toggle mechanism is utilized, whereby to yieldingly urge the intermediate drive element 65 into engagement with disc 29 or 30, depending upon the direction of drive. This mechanism includes an arm 67 (see Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9) which is pivoted at 63 to a fixed bracket 69 carried on the underside of the base plate 12. The bracket 69 also serves as a support for the inner end of the control shaft 37 and adjacent to thc bracket 69 the control shaft has a collar 70 secured thereto which collar carries a pin 71 projecting downwardly through a slot 72 formed in the bracket 69 and engaging in another slot 73 formed in the inner end of shift lever 67. A spring 74 interconnects the free end of shift arm 67 with the arm 66 carrying the intermediate friction element 65. By this arrangement when the control shaft 37 is oscillated as by actuation of the control lever 36, the pin 70 causes the shift lever 67 to swing between the positions illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. In the position of Figure 6 the spring 74 is acting on arm 66 in a direction tending to urge the friction element 65 into engagement with disc 29; and in the position of Figure 7 the spring 74 is acting upon the arrn 66 in a direction to urge the friction element 65 against the driving disc 30.

According to the foregoing the drives for both the tape capstan and the tape reels are concurrently reversed. When the shifter plate 26 is moved to the right when viewed as in Figures 6 and 7, the eccentrically adjustable device 27 serves to prevent engagement of drive disc 28 for reel 15 with the capstan drive disc 64.

Attention is now called to the fact that inthe machine illustrated the tape is adapted to be scanned by a magnetic scanning head 75 yieldingly engaging the tape in the run thereof which is being driven by the capstan 19. This head is mounted on a plate 76 which is carried by a bracket 77, the bracket being pivoted for pivotal motion about an upright axis on a vertical pin 78. A spring 79 urges the head mounting bracket downwardly; and the head may be raised by a lever 80 secured to the control shaft 37, which lever is adapted to abut against the lower end of the pin 78. When the control lever 36 is adjusted to the right-hand position as viewed in Figure 3, the magnetic head is elevated, and when the lever 36 is adjusted to the left-hand position the magnetic head is lowered. These two head positions are intended to be employed in the scanning of a double-track tape record and the shifting of the head is coordinated with the capstan drive mechanism and also with the reel drive mechanism, so that a double-track tape may rst be scanned in one direction and then in the other direction, with only a single control adjustment.

According to another feature of the invention, provision is made for automatically reversing the direction of the tape drive, shifting the magnetic head, etc., at the end of the scanning of the tape in one direction. For this purpose the tape guide post 17 comprises a pair of electrically insulated contact elements 17a and 17b (see Figure 2) which are coupled, together with a source of curtape near the position where rent, with the solenoid 49 for tripping the control lever 36. The tape itself is noneconductive, but according to the invention a contact element such as indicated at 81, for instance a small piece of metal foil, is secured to the reversal of drive is desired, so that when the contact element 81 reaches the guide post 17 it interconnects the contacts 17a and 17b thereby completing the power circuit for solenoid 49 and tripping the control lever 36 to elect reversal of operation.

Referring further to the mounting of the magnetic scanning head 75, it is noted that this head is yieldingly urged into engagement with the tape as it passes the capstan 19 by means of a spring 82 (see Figures 3 and 4). The head, however, is pivotally displace-able about the axis of supporting pin 78 to facilitate threading of the tape in the machine. For this purpose an abutment 83 is carried by the mounting plate 76 for the head 75 in such position as to be engaged by the bellcrank 55 when the control knob 63 is adjusted to condition the machine for threading. This is shown in Figure 5. Thus the control knob 63 not only serves to withdraw the tape guide elements 18 and 20 but further serves to displace the scanning head away from the capstan, which is also of importance in providing for the substantially straight line threading of the machine between the guide posts 17 and 21. It is noted, however, that appreciable movement of the threading control occurs before the head is displaced from the tape and this is of importance in ensuring that the head will always have yielding (spring pressed) engagement with the tape during normal scan ning.

Attention is now called to another automatic control feature which is incorporated in the guide post 21. Associated with this guide post is a shutoff switch 84 adapted to be coupled into the circuit of the driving motor 32. The post 21 has a segment 85 which extends downwardly through the base plate 12 to form a part of switch 84, this segment being pivoted for swinging movement in a radial plane with reference to the post 21. When the tape is in engagement with the post and the segment 85 is drawn inwardly (the position shown in Figure 1) the motor circuit 32 is completed and the machine is conditioned for operation. However, in the absence of" a tape passing around the guide post 21, the segment 85, which is biased to break the circuit in switch 84, causes the motor to shut off.

In analyzing the operation of the various features described, it is first noted that tape reel 15 is intended to constitute the permanent storage reel for a multiple track tape. When it is desired to reproduce such a tape, the reel 15 is placed upon the spindle 22 and the end of the tape threaded into the reel 16, which latter reel may advantageously constitute a permanent part of the machine. The control lever is then manually set to the right-hand position and reproduction of the recording is commenced. The reproduction continues until the solenoid 49 is energized, whereupon the direction of drive and scanning is reversed and the tape is rewound upon the original storage reel 15. When the end. of the tape passes the guide post 21 the switch controlling segment 85 effects shutoi of the driving motor.

Attention is now directed to the fact that the cover plate 45 above referred to overlies many of the parts already described including the bellcranks 55 and 56, the scanning head 75, etc. An additional cover plate 86 overlies certain adjacent parts of the machine, including the driving capstan 19 and, as clearly appears in Figure l, a slot 87 is provided between the adjacent edges of the cover plates 45 and 86. This slot constitutes the threading slot of the machine and overlies the substantially straight run of the tape between the posts 17 and 21 shown in Figure 5 (in which the machine is conditoned for threading). On the other hand when the machine is conditioned for operation, arms 88 and 89, which are mounted for movement with the bellcranks 5S and 56,

are shifted to positions in which they block the slot 87, thereby preventing threading of the machine when it is conditioned for operation. In this way damage to tape records is avoided, since the machine is virtually foolproof. Similarly it will be noted from Figure l that the scanning head 75 also blocks the threading slot 87. In the preferred arrangement it is contemplated that the top of the scanning head 75 and also the top surface of the blocking arms 88 and 89 be colored red for the purpose of giving a visual indication of the condition of the machine. Thus, when the user observes red areas through the threading slot 87, he is advised that the machine is not in condition for threading.

Further safeguards are provided to render the threading as foolproof as possible. For example, the guide posts 17 and 21 not only have recesses adapted to engage" the tape, but further have lower inclined or conical parts 17c and 21C which provide what in effect is a self-centering guiding action. In this way it is not necessary to accurately thread the tape into the grooves of the posts 17 and 21, but the tape may merely be laid on the base plate 12 around the posts, and then upon starting of the machine the tape will automatically find its way into the proper position on the guide posts. A furtherv safety feature comprises fingers 90 and 91 (see Figures 4 and 5) which extend from the bellcranks 55 and 56 so as to lie under the tape in the region of the threading slot 87. These fingers (90 and 91) may be shaped to automatically raise the tape somewhat upon forward movement` of the bellcranks, to thereby ensure proper engagement of the tape with guide elements 18 and 20 and also with the drive capstan 19.

Reference is here made to the modified tape guide element shown in Figure 10. As there seen, a guide elementl 18a has a body portion with an inclined surface for supf the guide further having a fiange to engage an edge of the tape, to thereby accurately position the tape edgewise. Such a tape guide may be either rotative or fixed and is of especial advantage when used in the region of the tape path adjacent the scanning head, since when so used it serves to ensure accurate scanning of the desired track on the tape.

When the advance end of a tape is being threaded from reel 15 to reel 16, after it is dropped into the threading slot 87, the end portion is merely laid in one or another of the grooves 92 formed in the central hub of the reel 16, and the reel 16 is given a turn or two, after which operation may commence.

Still another safety feature comprises means 15 and 1,6. This feature is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 6. As there shown, a pulley 94 is xed on the spindle 22 for reel 15, and a similar pulley 95 is fixed on spindle 23 of reel 16. Friction pads are interposed between the pulley between the pulley 95 and the drive disc 29. It is here pointed out that the drive from the discs 28 and 29 to the posts 22 and 23, respectively, is effected through the friction elements 96 which, in effect, constitute slip clutches. The disc 28 is yieldingly urged against the fric'- tion elements 96 by means of a spring 97, and similarly a spring 98 yieldingly urges the disc 29 against the friction elements 96 which are arranged on the other reel shaft. These friction clutches perform an important function referred to below.

A friction cord brake 99 is associated with pulley 94 and a similar cord 100 is associated with pulley 95, the two cords being connected with arm 101 through springs 102 and 103 respectively. The arm 101 is fixed to shaft 62 of control knob 63, and these parts are all arranged so that when the control knob is adjusted to condition the machine for threading, an appreciable braking force is applied to the pulleys 94 and 95. Thereby spinning of the reels is prevented. This is of importance since spinning of a reel at the time of threading and in a direcporting the tape,

of the machine illustrated for braking rotation o f the tape reels 8 tion to unwind a tape, can readily result in knotting, kinking or tearing of the tape. When the control knob 63 is adjusted for operation, however, the friction brake cords 99 and 100 are released suiciently to avoid irnposing any appreciable drag on the drive of either of the tape reels.

Attention is now directed to the fact that it is contemplated according to the invention that drive capstan 19 shall be the controlling influence in determining the rate of feed of the tape. The drive of one tape reel or the other (depending upon the direction of operation) is arranged to overrun the drive of the capstan, but the tape reel drives incorporate the slip clutch elements 96,

f and therefore during operation in either direction the reel being driven merely establishes slight tension in the run of the tape going back to the drive capstan. j

A further feature of importance resides in the fact that the control knob 63 may be adjusted to an intermediate position, i. e., a position intermediate that provided for threading of the machine and that provided for normal operation of the machine. In the intermediate position (about midway between the other two positions) the bellcranks 55 and 56 are withdrawn sufficiently to permit the l tape to become substantially disengaged from the drive capstan 19. In this-condition it is contemplated that the control lever 36 be moved to the left, whereupon rewinding of any portion of the tape which had been transferred to reel 16 will occur. This rewinding will take place at a relatively rapid rate, i. e., five to ten times the normal scanning rate, depending upon the relative diameter of the several friction driving discs in the system. The reason why this rewinding willoccur quite rapidly is that without the drag of the driving capstan 19 on the tape, the slip clutch 96 in the reel drive will not slip but will establish the rate of rewind. Therefore, since the reel drives are arranged to overrun the capstan driving, re-

winding may be effected in a short time.

Another feature of importance is the fact that the high speed rewinding may be effected in either direction of operation, so that almost any selected portion of a tape recording may quickly be reached for playback. In the intermediate position of adjustment of the knob 63 the braking force of the friction brake cords 99 and 100 will be only lightly applied, .so as not to interfere with the 1 rapid rewinding.

It is of especial advantage that whenever the tape threading control is adjusted to provide for high speed shutthng or rewinding of the tape, the recording-playback head is disengaged from the tape. This avoids reproduc- 94 and the drive disc 28 and also if tion of recorded material at excessive speed during any rewinding operation. Such high speed reproduction of ref corded material is sometimes referred to as monkey chatter and is frequently an objectionable noise.

It is also important that when the tape is being rewound at high Speed in either direction the recording head and also the guide elements 18 and 20 are either disengaged from the tape or at least have diminished pressure of en-l gagement with the tape. Since these elements normallil engage the coated side of the tape this reduces wear and danger of damage to the recording.

The arrangement of the reel drives including the location of the slip,clutche s 96, and the arrangement of the swinging arms 55 and 56 which carry the guide elements 18 and 20 is also of especial advantage in avoiding damage to or breakage of tape. In the first place, the location of the slip clutches 96 in the reel drives beyond the driving discs 28 and 29 permits manual stoppage of either reel when that reel is operated in the position of a supply reel, without placing excessive tension in the tape. In the handling of the machine it is sometimes desired to stop a reel in this manner and this may freely be done without danger of tape breakage, since the slip clutch for the takeup reel will permit the drive for that reel to overrun. Moreover, in the event of manual stoppage of a reel operating as a supply reel at a time when the swinging arms 55 and 56 are positioned to bring the tape into engagement with the capstan 19 (see Figure 4), the resulting slight increase in tension on the tape applies a force to one or the other of the swinging arms 55 and 56 tending to swing that arm outwardly and thereby permit disengagement of the tape from the friction surface of the driving capstan 19. This will again avoid tape breakage at a point intermediate the driving capstan and the reel which is manually stopped. The interlinking of arms 55 and 56 to move together is also of advantage in ensuring disengagement of the tape from the driving capstan at a time when the tension in the tape rises somewhat above the normal tension. These features will, of course, serve the same safeguarding purpose in the event of an unintentional stoppage of the supply reel from any cause.

Certain additional points should be noted in connection with automatic outward movement of arms 55 and 56 upon abnormal tensioning of the tape. In the event that a tape becomes caught upon a reel, for instance the inner end of a tape where it is customary to insert the end into an aperture in the hub for the purpose of starting the tape on the reel, the increase in tension on the tape which will occur at the end of the runwill automatically displace the arms 55 and 56 and thus alsorautomatically displace the recording head 75. In some circumstances it may even be desired to deliberately fasten the inner end of the tape to the hub of the reel, so that at the end of a run of tape the recording head will automatically be displaced away from the tape. This may also serve to avoid damage to the tape driving capstan in the event of tape breakage. The capstan is preferably lined with a resilient material such as rubber, and if the recording head remains in engagement With the capstan Without a tape intervening, continued rotation of the capstan will tend to cut a groove in the rubber lining. If the tension in the tape is abnormally increased, this will displace the recording head and if the tension is so greatly increased as to break the tape, the recording head is then displaced so it will not rub against the capstan. This is a safety feature of importance in avoiding damage to the machine.

Slight friction in the mounting pivots 57 and 58 for the `arms 55 and 56 and/or in the mounting pivot for the control shaft 62 will serve to retain the arms 55 and 56 in their inner positions during normal operation of the machine, at which time the tension on the tape is relatively light. It is also contemplated, however, to employ a yielding latch for holding the arms 55 and 56 in either position, e., in either the position of Figure 4 or the position of Figure 5.

A modified mechanism for the above purpose is illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13. As there seen, the control shaft 62 for moving thearms 55-56 is further provided with an arm 105 in the form of a spring finger having an upturned end adapted to engage alternatively in recesses 106 and 107 formed in the base board 12.

By the arrangement just described, arms 55-56 may more positively be retained in either the innermost or the outermost position of adjustment, although it is contemplated that the spring finger 105 have suicient resilience to disengage from the recesses 106 and 107 in the event of tape stoppage or the like tending to place excessive tension in the tape. This will avoid tape breakage.

Whether friction in mounting pivots for the arms 55 and 56 and the control shaft therefor is relied upon t0 yieldingly retain the arms in adjusted position, or whether a spring finger of the type shown in Figures ll to 13 is utilized for this purpose, it should be understood that it is contemplated that the arms shall alwaysbe `free to shift from the inner position to the outer position under the influence of a tension applied to the tape of a value somewhat less than the tensile strength of the tape, this relationship being of importance in order to avoid tape breakage.

According to the foregoing, a machine is provided for handling magnetic tape records in an extremely simple and foolproof manner. The equipment may be employed either for recording or reproduction, as has already been brought out. As is known in this art, a magnetic scanning device such as indicated at 75, may comprise a generally U-shaped magnetic core having small pole pieces with a very narrow iiux gap therebetween. The core carries windings which may alternatively be employed either for purposes of making a recording or for the purpose of reproduction, in one event the windings being coupled to the output of a power amplitier and in the other event to the input thereof.

The association of the various devices for handling the magnetic tape records with a standard disc record player, including turntable 14 is also of especial advantage and an important point in this connection is that according to the invention all of these parts are arranged in an exceptionally compact manner, it being noted that the tape reels 15 and 16 are arranged to lie in part below the turntable 14.

This application is a continuation of my copending application, Serial No. 101,052, filed June 24, 1949, now abandoned.

I claim:

l. Equipment for use with magnetic tape records comprising in combination with a pair of reels between which a tape record is adapted to be fed, a tape driving capstan adapted to engage a tape in the path of feed between the reels, a displaceably mounted tape guide adapted in a rst position to guide a tape in driving engagement with said capstan and in a second position to release such driving engagement, said tape guide being yieldingly held in said first position but being displaceable to release the driving engagement of the tape with the capstan under the inliuence of excessive tensioning of a tape, a tape scanning device also adapted to engage a tape in the path of feed between the reels, said scanning device being mounted for displacement toward and away from the tape, and mechanism providing for displacement of the scanning device away from the tape upon displacement of said guide from the first to the second position.

2. A construction according to claim 1 in which said tape guide is yieldingly held in said first position by a spring pressed holding element.

3. A construction according to claim l incorporating a pair of displaceable mounted tape guides arranged according to claim l and respectively disposed toward opposite sides of the tape driving capstan, and mechanism interlinking said tape guides for concurrent movement between said two positions, whereby excessive tensioning of the tape in the runs thereof extended toward either reel will serve to displace both of the tape guides.

4. Equipment for use with magnetic tape records comprising in combination with a pair of reels between which a tape record is adapted to be fed, tape scanning, driving and guiding devices arranged along the path lof feed of the tape between the reels and mounted for relative movement between a first position in which the tape is fed in a path having relatively angled portions and in which all of said devices engage the tape and a second position in which at least the driving device is disengaged from the tape,` at least one of said driving and guiding devices being yieldingly mounted to provide for displacement thereof upon excessive tensioning of the tape and thereby provide for disengagement of the tape driving device from the tape, and mechanism providing for disengagement of said scanning device from the tape whenexcessive tensioning of the tape displaces said yieldingly mounted device.

5. Equipment for use with magnetic tape records comprising in combination with a pair of reels between which a tape record is adapted to be fed, a tape driving capstan adapted to engage a tape in the path of feed between the reels, a tape scanning device adapted to engage a 11 Y tape 1n the path of feed between the reels, a displaceably mounted tape guide adapted in one position to guide a. tape in driving engagement with said capstan and in another position to release such driving engagement, a mount for the tape scanning device providing for movement thereof toward and away from a tape and having means normally urging the scanning device toward the tape, and mechanism interrelating the movements of the tape guide and of the scanning device and providing for displacement of the scanning device away from the tape upon movement of the guide to release the drive, such mechanism incorporating a lost motion connection providing for displacement of the scanning device only after a predetermined initial displacement of the tape guide. Y 6. Equipment for use with magnetic tape records comprising in combination with a pair of reels between which a tape record is adapted to be fed, a tape driving capstan adapted to engage a tape in the path of feed between the reels, a tape guide mounted for displacement movement between a first position to guide a tape in driving engagement with said capstan and a second position to release such driving engagement, said tape guide being shiftable from said rst position to said second position under the influence of excessive tensioning of a tape, a tape scanning device also adapted to engage a tape in the path of feed between the reels in the region of engagementof the tape with said capstan, said scanning device being mounted for displacement toward andl away from the tape and mechanism providing for displacement of the scanning device away from the tape upon displacement of said guide from the rst to the second position.

7. Equipment for use with magnetic tape records comprising in combination with a pair of reels between which a tape is adapted to be fed, a tape driving capstan adapted to engage a tape in the path of feed between the reels, reel drive mechanism adapted alternatively to drive one reel or the other, a magnetic scanning device shiftable with respect to the tape transversely thereof to register with different side-by-side tracks on the tape, mechanism coordinating shifting movements of the scanning device with adjustment of the reel drive, a displaceably mounted tape guide adapted in a primary position to guide the tape in driving engagement with said capstan and in a secondary position to release such driving engagement, said magnetic scanning device and the tape being relatively movable between a first position establishing scanning relationship and a second position out of scanning relationship, and mechanism interrelating the .movement of the tape guide with the relative movement of the scanning device and the tape and providing for relative movement of the scanning device and the tape into said s econd position out of scanning relationship when the tape guide is displaced to said secondary position releasing driving engagement of the tape with the capstan.

8. Equipment for use with magnetic tape records comprising in combination with a pair of reels between which a taperrecord is adapted to be fed, a tape driving capstan for cooperation withthe tape as it' is fed between the reels, guide means for establishing a tape feed path between the reels adjacent to but with the tape out of driving engagement with the capstan, a tape guide mounted for displacement movement between a rst position in which the tape is guided in driving engagement with said capstan and a second position in which the driving engagement is released, said tape guide being yieldingly held in said first position but being displaceable to release the driving engagement of the tape with the capstan under the influence of excessive tensioning of a tape,

a scanning device adapted to engage a tape in the path of feed between the reels, a mount for said scanning device providing for movement thereof toward andaway from a tape, and mechanism interrelating the movements of the tape guide and of the scanning device and providing for displacement of the scanning device away from the tape upon movement of the guide to said second position.

9. Equipment for use with magnetic tape records comprising in combination with a supply reel and a take-up reel from the former to the latter of which a tape is adapted to be fed, tape engaging elements including at least a scanning head element, a driving capstan element and a tape guide element, certain of said elements being located at opposite sides of the path of feed of the tape between the reels and being relatively movable to provide alternatively for establishment and release of driving engagement of the tape with the capstan element and for concurrent establishment of scanning engagement of the tape with the head element when the driving engagement is established and for concurrent release of said scanning engagement when the driving engagement is released, one of said elements comprising a displaceably mounted tape guide element adapted in a first position to engage a Ytape in advance of engagement thereof with the capstan element during feed of such tape from the supply reel` to the take-up reel and also adapted in said first position to maintain the tape in driving engagement with the capstan element, and yielding means acting to retain said guide element in said rst position, the displaceable guide element being movable to a second position against the action of -said yielding means under the influence of excessive tensioning of the tape in the run thereof between the supply reel and the capstan element, said second position being one in which said driving engagement of the tape with the capstan element is released. l0. Friction-type tape drive equipment for use with imperforate magnetic tape records comprising in combination with a supply reel and a take-up reel from the former to the latter of which a tape is adapted to be fed, a tape driving capstan having a tape engaging surface adapted to have continuous surface engagement with the tape throughout the entire width thereof during feed of the tape between the reels, a displaceably mounted tape guide adapted in a first position to engage a tape in ad- Vance of engagement thereof with the capstan during feed of suchk tape from the supply reel to the take-up reel and also adapted in Vsaid first position to maintainl the tape in driving .engagement with the capstan, and yielding means acting to retain said guide in said rst position, the guide Y being displaceable to a Vsecond position against the action of said yielding means under the influence of excessive tensioning of the tape in the run thereof between the supply reel and the capstan, said second position being one in` which the driving engagement of the tape with the capstanis released, the relationship of the force exerted by said yielding means and the tensile strength of the tape being ,such thatdisplacement of said guide will occur prior to tapeV breakage, the displacement motion of said guide being in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said capstan.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Swartz Feb. i2, 1924 Dank Dec. 26, 1950 

